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Mazda talks the torque with new drive system
Mazda’s new G-Vectoring Control, Mazda aims to enhance customers’
which it says is a world first, is driving experience, heightening
designed to make driving easier satisfaction and the “bond” people
and the resultant ride easier for have with their Mazda vehicles.
passengers, reducing sudden That sense of “Jinba Ittai”
movements in steering and performance is based on Mazda’s
sharpening chassis dynamics. human-centred vehicle development
G-Vectoring Control is the first philosophy, which focuses on using
in a series of new vehicle motion human physiology and psychology
control technologies being rolled out to design enjoyable vehicle
across the whole Mazda range (with experiences based on how
the exception of the BT-50 utility) customers actually use their vehicles
under the Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics rather than merely chasing catalogue
banner, starting with the updated performance metrics.
Mazda3, which is on sale
in Japan now, and will come to Key pointers
NZ later this year. What is torque vectoring, and how
Part of the Skyactiv series, Skyactiv- does the Mazda system differ
Vehicle Dynamics technologies from the torque vectoring found
provide integrated control of the on other cars?
engine, transmission, chassis and Torque vectoring is a system
body to enhance the car’s “Jinba- which allows torque to individual
ittai” feel – a sense of connectedness wheels to be varied, improving grip
between car and driver that and keeping the vehicle stable,
distinguishes Mazda vehicles. particularly on front-wheel drive cars.
G-Vectoring Control (GVC) was It also compensates for potential loss
born of Mazda’s human-centred of grip under hard acceleration.
development philosophy and the Current torque vectoring systems
novel idea of using the engine to achieve this by applying brakes to an
enhance chassis performance. inside wheel while applying power
It is the world’s first control system to the outer one. Mazda’s system,
to vary engine torque in response to however, uses an imperceptible
steering inputs in order to provide reduction of engine torque by
integrated control of lateral and momentarily reducing the amount of
longitudinal acceleration forces fuel being injected, which naturally
and optimise the vertical load on sharpens turn-in.
each wheel for smooth and efficient Mazda says this results in a
vehicle motion. smoother driving experience and less
Optimising the load on each movement of the steering wheel. The
tyre brings the movements of the system is particularly effective in
car more in line with the driver’s slippery conditions.
intentions, reducing the need for The system has been eight years
steering corrections, including many in the making. Mazda started out
that are made unconsciously. by trialling brake effect, but found
The outstanding traction the response was too late to effect the
system provides inspires confidence improvements the engineers wanted.
and makes driving more fun. Other torque vectoring systems
Changes in the acceleration forces only intervene when the car is near
acting upon vehicle occupants are its limits of adhesion, whereas the
smoother, reducing torso sway and Mazda system is far more passive.
making for a more comfortable No mechanical changes are
ride. In addition, GVC significantly necessary to install the system,
improves handling and stability on with the exception of some
wet, snowy and unpaved roads. suspension retuning.
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